Electronic gaming machine interface system

ABSTRACT

An electronic gaming machine interface system including a first circuit board, a bracket coupled to the first circuit board, a fan coupled to the bracket and disposed over the first circuit board, a second circuit board coupled to the bracket, a first cable coupled between a connector of the first circuit board and a connector of the second circuit board; and a second cable coupled between a connector of the first circuit board and a connector of the second circuit board.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to electronic gaming machines and, inparticular, to an interface system for an electronic gaming machine.

An electronic gaming machine can include an interface between theelectronic gaming machine and a player tracking system. Such aninterface can include a circuit board with processors, connectors, andother electronics. The circuit board can be located within a housing ofthe electronic gaming machine.

However, inside the housing of the electronic gaming machine, thecircuit board can be subject to harsh environmental conditions. Forexample, a lack of air circulation, multiple lights, various circuitry,or the like can increase the temperature within the housing. As aresult, a possibility that the circuit board will overheat can beincreased. In addition, the circuit board may be located in the housingin a difficult to reach location. Accordingly, accessing the circuitboard can be difficult.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic gaming machine interfacesystem according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of an electronic gaming machine interface systemaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a connection to a connector of anelectronic gaming machine interface circuit board according to anembodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bracket for an electronic gaming machine interfacesystem according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates the bracket of FIG. 4 with a portion illustrated inphantom.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a fan bracket of the bracket of FIG.4.

FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of the fan bracket of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates plan view of a plate of the bracket of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments will be described in reference to the drawings. Inparticular, embodiments will be described where access to and/or anenvironment of an electronic gaming machine interface can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic gaming machine interfacesystem according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the system 10includes a first circuit board 14 and a second circuit board 12. Thefirst circuit board 14 is coupled to the second circuit board 12 throughcables 26, 30, and 44.

The first circuit board 14 includes a communication interface 34configured to couple the first circuit board 14 to an electronic gamingmachine 36 and a player tracking unit 38. The communication interface 34can be any variety of interfaces. For example, the communicationinterface 34 can include a direct connection through connectors andcables to the electronic gaming machine 36 and the player tracking unit38. In another example, the communication interface 34 can be coupled tothe electronic gaming machine 36 and the player tracking unit 38 througha network such as an Ethernet network, a controller-area network, or thelike. Moreover, the communication interface 34 can include multipleindividual communication interfaces for connecting to the electronicgaming machine 36 and the player tracking unit 38. For example, a firstcommunication interface can be used to couple to the electronic gamingmachine 36 while a second, different communication interface can be usedto couple to the player tracking unit 38.

The first circuit board 14 also includes a power connector 32 and amulti-contact connector 46. The power connector 32 is coupled to acorresponding power connector 22 on the second circuit board 12 througha cable 30. The power connector 32 can be configured to receive powerfor the first circuit board 14. In an embodiment, the power connector 32can have two contacts for a power supply and a return. However, in otherembodiments, the power connector 32 can have any number of powersupplies, common nodes, separate returns, or the like.

The multi-contact connector 46 can have a variety of differentconfigurations. For example, the multi-contact connector can be a singlerow of contacts, a double row of contacts, or the like. In anembodiment, the multi-contact connector 46 includes at least threecontacts, pins, or the like. In particular, two of the pins areconfigured to be used in resetting the first circuit board 14. Forexample, two of the pins can be shorted together while the power supply16 is cycled. The first circuit board 14 can be reset in response tosuch an operation.

In an embodiment, since there are multiple contacts on the multi-contactconnector 46, an error can be made where other contacts are shorted inaddition to or instead of the desired contacts to reset the firstcircuit board 14. In such a circumstance, the first circuit board 14 maynot be reset, may be damaged, or the like. However, a cable 44 couplesthe multi-contact connector 46 to the second circuit board 12. Thuscable 44 is coupled to the contacts of the multi-contact connector 46associated with the reset function.

The second circuit board 12 includes connectors 22 and 42 correspondingto the power connector 32 and multi-contact connector 46 of the firstcircuit board 14. The power connector 22 is coupled to the power supply16. In this embodiment, the power connector 22 is coupled through aswitch 20, connector 18 and cable 17 to the power supply 16. Thus, powerfrom the power supply 16 can be controlled using the switch 20. Inparticular, since the power supply 16 is coupled to the first circuitboard 14 through the cable 30, the power supply for the first circuitboard 14 can be switched with the switch 20. Moreover, with a firstcircuit board 14 without a switch that can switch the power supply 16 onand off, the power to the first circuit board 14 can still becontrolled. Thus, the connections to the first circuit board 14 can bemaintained while the power is controlled. That is, a connector thatsupplies power to the first circuit board 14 need not be removed,disconnected, or the like in order to cycle the power supplied to thefirst circuit board 14.

In addition, in an embodiment, the second circuit board 12 can include aswitch 40. The switch 40 can be configured to couple multiple contactsof the connector 42 together. The cable 44 can couple those contacts ofthe connector 42 to contacts of the connector 46 which are used inconnection with resetting the first circuit board 14. Thus, the firstcircuit board 14 can be reset with the use of the switch 40. As aresult, a chance of shorting incorrect contacts of the multi-contactconnector 46 can be reduced if not eliminated. Moreover, as describedabove, the first circuit board 14 may be reset in response to theshorting of contacts while the power is cycled. The second circuit board12 and the switches 20 and 40 allow a user to manipulate the switches 20and 40 to achieve the reset function without the need of accessingindividual contacts of the multi-contact connector 46 of the firstcircuit board 14 or disconnecting the cable 30 to remove power.

Although the electronic gaming machine 36 is illustrated as separatefrom the circuit board 12 and 14, the electronic gaming machine 36 caninclude a housing substantially encapsulating the first circuit board14, the second circuit board 12, the power supply 16, the playertracking unit 38, a combination of such components, or the like.

In an embodiment, the system 10 can include a fan 28. As illustrated,the fan 28 can be disposed on the first circuit board 14. However, aswill be described in further detail below, the fan 28 can be disposedsuch that the fan 28 can direct air to or from the first circuit board14. In particular, the first circuit board 14 can include circuitry 74that can generate an amount of heat that, in the environmentalconditions of the electronic gaming machine 36, can cause the circuitry74 to fail.

In this embodiment, the fan 28 is coupled to the fan power connector 24on the second circuit board 12. In addition, the fan power connector 24can be coupled to the power connector 22, the switch 20, or the like.Thus, the power to the fan 28 can be controlled along with the power tothe first circuit board 14. However, in another embodiment, the power tothe fan 28 need not be switched, the power can be controlled through aseparate switch, or the like.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of an electronic gaming machine interface systemaccording to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the power supply 16 isillustrated as merely coupled to the second circuit board 12 through theconnector 60. However, the power supply 16 can be coupled to the secondcircuit board through a cable, directly connected, or the like.

A single conductor of the power supply 16 on the second circuit board 12is switched with switch 62. Accordingly, the switched power can beprovided through the connector 64, the cable 68, and the connector 74 toprovide power to the circuitry 74 of the second circuit board 14. Inaddition, the switched power supply can also be coupled to the fan 28through the connector 66, and the cable 70. Although the fan 28 isillustrated as being directly connected to the cable 70, the fan 28could have a connector, or be coupled to the cable 70 in other ways.

The switch 80 is coupled between two contacts of the connector 82. Thus,when the switch 80 is closed, the contacts of the connector 82 can beshorted together. As a result, the wires of the cable 84, the contactsof the connector 86 of the first circuit board 14, and correspondingnodes of the circuitry 74 can be shorted together. Although theconnector 86 is illustrated as including only two contacts, as describedabove the connector 86 can include three or more contacts.

As a result, various control of the circuitry 74 that was otherwise in arelatively inaccessible location, in a configuration that invited errorsthat could be catastrophic, or the like, can be controlled with areduced chance of such problems, increased ease of access, and the like.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a connection to a connector of anelectronic gaming machine interface circuit board according to anembodiment. In this embodiment, the connector 100 includes two rows ofcontacts 102. However, in other embodiments, the connector 100 couldhave additional rows that can make the shorting of two contacts evenmore prone to error. Further more, the connector can have any number ofcontacts. For example, the connector 100 can be a 40 contact connectorwith the contacts disposed in two rows.

The wires 106 are an example of wires of a cable 84 described above withrespect to FIG. 2. The wires 106 are coupled to the connector 104. Theconnector 104 is coupled to the connector 100 such that two contacts 102of the connector 100 make electrical with the connect 104 and hence thewires 106. The wires 106 can be coupled to the second circuit board 12.As a result, the risk of inadvertent contact with other contacts 102 ofthe connector 100 can be reduced.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bracket for an electronic gaming machine interfacesystem according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates the bracket ofFIG. 4 with a portion illustrated in phantom. FIG. 6 illustrates a sideview of a fan bracket of the bracket of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 illustrates aplan view of the fan bracket of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 illustrates plan view ofa plate of the bracket of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 4-8, in an embodiment, the bracket 120 can include afirst plate 122 and a second plate 124. The first plate 122 can includemounting sites 132 corresponding to the second circuit board 12. As usedherein, a mounting site can be a variety of structures. For example, amounting site can be a threaded hole configured to receive a screw, athreaded standoff, or the like. In another example, the mounting sitecan include a hole configured to receive a rivet, a brad, or any otherfastener. In another example, the mounting site can include a studconfigured to receive a nut. Any technique of fastening can be used withcorresponding mounting sites.

Similar the mounting sites 132 for the second circuit board 12, thefirst plate 122 can include mounting sites 134 for the first circuitboard 14. Thus, the first circuit board 14 can be coupled to the firstplate 122. In addition, the first plate 122 can include mounting sites140 for mounting the second plate 124. The second plate 124 can includecorresponding mounting sites 130 for mounting to the mounting sites 140of the first plate 122. Thus, the second plate 124 can be coupled to thefirst plate 122.

The second plate 124 can include an opening 128 configured to expose afan. As illustrated the second plate 124 can include bends such that aportion of the second plate 124 is offset from the first plate 122.Accordingly, the second plate 124 can be coupled to the first plate 122such that the second plate 124 is disposed over the first circuit board14 and hence, the fan disposed in the opening 128 can be disposed overcircuitry of the first circuit board 14.

In an embodiment, the bracket 120 can be configured to expose portionsof the first circuit board 14. However, in another embodiment, thebracket 120 can substantially encapsulate the first circuit board 14.For example, the second plate 124 can be configured to extend along alength of the first plate 122 such that the second plate 124 is disposedover the entire first circuit board 14. In such an embodiment, thesecond circuit board 12 can still be substantially exposed; however, thefirst circuit board can be substantially isolated.

However, in another embodiment, the second circuit board 12 can also besubstantially encapsulated by the bracket 120. For example, the secondplate 124 can similarly extend over the second circuit board 12. Thesecond plate 124 or other structure of the bracket 120 can be configuredto expose the various switches 62 and 80 of the second circuit board 12.Thus, even though the first circuit board 14 and the second circuitboard 12 are substantially encapsulated and hence, substantiallyisolated from other components, wiring, or the like within an electronicgaming machine, a user can still access the switches 62 and 80, or thelike. Moreover, the bracket 120 can also include gaps, vents, or thelike for exhaust or intake of air due to the fan, yet the first circuitboard 14 and second circuit board 12 can still be substantiallyencapsulated.

In an embodiment, the second plate 124 can include an opening 126. Theopening 126 can be configured to expose an interface of the firstcircuit board 14. For example, the first circuit board 14 can include alight emitting diode (LED) which can be configured to communicate astatus of the first circuit board 14 to a user. Although the secondplate 126, the bracket 120, or the like can substantially obscure suchan LED, the opening 126 can expose the LED such that the first circuitboard 14 can be substantially encapsulated while the interface of theLED is still available to the user. Although an LED has been used as anexample, other interfaces of the first circuit board 14, the secondcircuit board 12, or the like can be similarly exposed through thebracket 120, the first plate 122, the second plate 124, or the like.

Although the term plate has been used to describe portions of a bracket,the plates can, but need not be substantially planar. For example, theplates can have angles, bends, or the like, such as those of the secondplate 124 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Although particular embodiments have been described, it will beappreciated that the principles of the invention are not limited tothose embodiments. Variations and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the principles of the invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A system, comprising: a first circuit board, including: a firstcommunication interface configured to be coupled to an electronic gamingmachine; a second communication interface configured to be coupled to aplayer tracking unit; a first connector configured to receive power forthe first circuit board; and a second connector coupled to a padincluding at least three contacts; a bracket coupled to the firstcircuit board; a fan coupled to the bracket and disposed over the firstcircuit board; a second circuit board coupled to the bracket, andincluding: a third connector to be coupled to a power supply; a fourthconnector; a first switch coupled between the third connector and thefourth connector and configured to selectively connect at least oneconductor between the third connector and the fourth connector; and afifth connector a second switch coupled to the fifth connector; a firstcable coupled between the first connector of the first circuit board andthe fourth connector of the second circuit board; and a second cablecoupled between the second connector and the fifth connector; whereinthe first circuit board is configured to be reset if two of the at leastthree contacts are shorted together.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe fan includes a power cable coupled to the second circuit boardbetween the first switch and the fourth connector.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein: the bracket comprises a first plate; and the firstcircuit board and the second circuit board are mounted to the firstplate.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein: the bracket further comprisesa second plate mounted to the first plate; and the fan is mounted to thesecond plate.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the bracket isconfigured to substantially encapsulate the first circuit board and thesecond circuit board.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at leastthree contacts of the first circuit board are disposed in at least tworows.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein: the at least three contacts ofthe first circuit board includes 40 contacts disposed in two rows; andthe second connector of the first circuit board is a 40 pin connector.8. A system, comprising: a first circuit board, including: acommunication interface configured to be coupled to an electronic gamingmachine; and a first connector configured to receive power for the firstcircuit board; a bracket coupled to the first circuit board; a secondcircuit board coupled to the bracket, and including: a second connectorto be coupled to a power supply; a third connector; a switch coupledbetween the second connector and the third connector and configured toselectively connect at least one conductor between the second connectorand the third connector; and a cable coupled between the first connectorof the first circuit board and the third connector of the second circuitboard.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein: the bracket is configured tosubstantially encapsulate the second circuit board; and the switch ofthe second circuit board is exposed through the bracket.
 10. The systemof claim 8, further comprising: a fan coupled to the bracket; wherein apower supply for the fan is coupled to the second circuit board suchthat power can be selectively provided to the fan in response to theswitch of the second circuit board.
 11. A system, comprising: a firstcircuit board, including: a communication interface configured to becoupled to an electronic gaming machine; a first connector coupled to apad including at least three contacts; a bracket coupled to the firstcircuit board; a second circuit board, including: a second connector aswitch coupled to the second connector and configured to short at leasttwo contacts of the second connector together; a cable coupled betweenthe first connector and the second connector; wherein the first circuitboard is configured to be reset if two of the at least three contactsare shorted together.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at leastthree contacts of the first connector are disposed in at least two rows.13. The system of claim 12, wherein: the at least three contacts of thefirst circuit board includes 40 contacts disposed in two rows; and thefirst connector of the first circuit board is a 40 pin connector.